rgnup
Colombia
Couple
We enjoyed our trip to Colombia immensely. All our guides were very knowledgeable and friendly. A lot of history you can feel walking the streets. Visited Bogotá, Medellin and Cartagena. So very different and beautiful on their own. The food was great, the museums of Botero and the Museo del Oro top notch, and the opportunity to see how very violent neighborhoods have been able to be reborn in art and enterprise is fantastic. A unique experience. Definitely visit Colombia.
The best parts:
Excellent knowledge of our tour guides, specially Alejandra *********** in Bogota. Lovely country, lovely people. The murals and art in the streets is like I have never seen before. Wow. Much to see in each city we visited.
The worst parts:
Really no bad parts.
Evaneos
Thank you for your feed back! See you around the world!
Gregg
Colombia
Solo
Bogotá was great as were the activities, Monserat and bike tour. The drives to Villa de Leiva and Barichara has some stunning scenery and the villages were beautiful. The hotel in pereira was was comfortable with a great garden jacuzzi! Medellin felt very international and the trips from there were also really good plus the city tour.
The best parts:
I enjoyed the whole trip. Real highlights would be Medellín, the coffee tour in Salamina and Barichara.
The worst parts:
I didn’t enjoy Cartagena
Evaneos
Thank you for your feed back! See you around the world!
Matthew P
Colombia
Couple
The highlight of the trip was the Cocoro Valley, and our excellent guide Mauricio
The best parts:
Enjoyed Colombia, saw three very different parts of the country. Our guides were very good.
The worst parts:
(1) Did not like the visit to the ** museum in Cartagena. They assumed we had spare money to buy an emerald and it was awkward telling them we were not interested. There was a lot of sales pressure. Would have preferred to spend the time in Cartagena doing something else. (2) I would not recommend the day trip to Rosario Island to the Hotel ***. The island is very nice and the boat trip is fun. However, the area reserved for the day trip passengers is very small, with limited shade. There is no beach and you can't snorkel on the reef. I think there would be better places to spend the day.
Evaneos
Dear Matthew P,
Thank you for your feedback! We are very happy that you enjoyed your trip to Colombia and we would appreciate it to see you again soon!
Yours sincerely, your Evaneos Team!
SoLittle
Colombia
Couple
We experienced what we feel is a good representation of Colombia. We are active travellers so we enjoyed the bike tours (quick way to see a lot of area while still feeling connected to the area), hiking and we always welcomed trying local foods. As Canadians, we loved the weather of Bogotá, Villa de Leyva and Pereira! Cocora Valley was a highlight as the natural beauty was outstanding. Overall we found the culture of the central area of Colombia to be a highlight of the trip.
The best parts:
All local tours/guides were good, some were outstanding and standout as our favourite aspect of the trip. Sorry. If we forget a name, we met so many wonderful individuals! Balthazar (sp??) and Mike (Bogota); bike tour (Villa de Leyva); Luis (Barichara); Christian (Pereira); Denny (swamp tour in Cartagena). Our drivers were professional, helpful and fun. Special thanks to our driver between Villa de Leyva/Barichara/Bucaramanga. Although we didn't speak Spanish, we did understand enough Spanish to know what he said to us and he always made us feel comfortable and safe. (And during the drive we got to watch a bonus cycling road race that was a thrill as we are huge cycling fans!)
Colombia was our 35th country to visit and we always try to learn about other cultures. We are happiest when we can have meaningful conversations with locals about how they see their country - pros and cons. We found the guides we had on this trip to be great representatives and ambassadors to their country, We always try to keep an open mind when we visit a new country, an although Colombia has had a turbulent past, we were so impressed with the ambitious, hardworking and passionate individuals we met in our journey. The artisans we encountered on our journey were also outstanding.
One option we would suggest is a hiking tour in Cocora Valley that offered an overnight with a local indigenous family. We would have said yes in an instant!
The worst parts:
Long travels days, although understandability necessary given the size of the country We would suggest adding an extra day at Pereira and Villa de Leyva to allow more time between travelling.
Willie121
Colombia
Friends
See above. We spent two nights in Cartagena and then went to the Rosario Island for two nights. From there we went to Minca and the Tayrona Park area. We could have used another day in Minca and skipped Tayrona Park although that coastal area was beautiful. Our stay at the B*** Hotel was wonderful-the hotels there sit on a beautiful river that flows into the Caribbean. The birds, flora and wildlife was spectacular. We then went to Medellin for 4 nights (2-3 would have been fine). We had excellent guides here and the city is an interesting place. From there we went to Solento, hiked in the Coccoro Valley and visited a beautiful coffee plantation. The people we met were very friendly and helpful.
The best parts:
My favorite parts of the trip was our time spent in the Cocoro Valley, the little towns of Solento and Finlandia and our time on the coast at the B**** Hotel in Tayrona. The nature was stunning. Cartagena (beautiful old colonial walled city) and Medellin were interesting cities and we were glad we had planned to visit these places as well. We had some excellent guides which really enhanced our trip. We really enjoyed visiting Guatape and Penol too.
The worst parts:
The drive from Cartagena to the Tayrona coast was long and stressful. I'd recommend flying there instead. Some of the hotel choices weren't great. We could have also skipped Rosario Island-or maybe it was the hotel at Rosario. The rooms were nice but the food wasn't good and there weren't other place to eat. The beachfront of that hotel also had very limited swimming areas.
BG
Colombia
Couple
We wanted to see some of the picturesque towns in the eastern mountains of Peru. Evaneos arranged a perfect custom tour, traveling to Barichara and Villa de Leiva, with drivers and guides for part of each day.
Our travel agent in Colombia was incredibly patient and accommodating, going out of her way to make these plans and then to check in, while we were traveling, to make sure that everything was to our liking.
Our guides and drivers were lovely. And one of them, our guide in Bogota, was extraordinary — not only accommodating our request to sample local tropical fruits and drink, but also sharing his impressive knowledge of Colombia and its indigenous people as we toured the extraordinary Gold Museum. Memorable, indeed!
The best parts:
The balance of organized travel with independent, free time to wander was exactly what we were looking for. We were able to see some less-explored parts of the country with the knowledge that we were in experienced hands, both with wonderful drivers and well-thought out itineraries and hotel arrangements,
Samuel
Colombia
Couple
enjoyed the trip and would consider going back in the future to see more of Colombia
The best parts:
we had a great time and were pleased with all the arrangements. Tabea at the travel agency was very attentive and available. all of the guides were wonderful. we enjoyed our walking tour of Bogota with Giovanni who provided a great deal of insight into the history and politics of Colombia. We highly recommend Calanoa for anyone interested in the Amazon. Their commitment to the enviornment and the people in the surrounding villages made it a more genuine experience. We can't say enough about our guide Daniel who was such a delightful and knowledgeable individual. Our three days with Louise in Medellin and the surrounding countryside were also great. We particularly enjoyed the town of Guatape and were fortunate to be there mid week when there weren't many tourists. San Carlos was also worth visiting to get a feel for the countryside and it's recent history. We also liked the accomodations at La Cascada, the hosts Gabriella and Carlos were very welcomng. Language skills for all of the guides during the trip were fine.
The worst parts:
overall we were very happy with the trip. unfortunately we had some issues with the airlines (luggage diverted and flights cancelled and rescheduled). Our first hotel in Bogota the room was shabby with stained carpets and uncomfortable beds. They did however have a very nice restaurant off the lobby and the best breakfasts we had in Colombia. The location was also convenient. All the other accomodations met our expectations.
Coco
Colombia
Family
We moved around a lot as there was a lot to see. It would’ve been nice to have names of places to go in Santa Marta for dinner, etc.
The best parts:
Liked the cacao farm byt the ride was long and the restaurant was really bad. There was a lot of rime spent in a car which wasn’t enjoyable. Driver did t stop for us to have lunch.
Jean was very responsive.
Art Hotel had a great roof for meals but the room was dark and needed renovation. There wasn’t hot water for 2 days in the shower.
Colombians were very nice overall.
Loved the fruit.
Got hurt in Cartagena. Augustin staff was phenomenal. Loved that hotel
The worst parts:
I would have liked to have been given the medellin drver’s number to be able to cancel our airport ride. Room in Santa Marta was nice but was musty.
I wo
Liz
Colombia
Family
Always wanted to experience Colombia. Found Evaneos on line, they recommended a great agency. All went well. We loved all the tours, hotels, transports, everything.
Loved Bogota, Leyva and Medellin. The cooking class in Medellin was amazing, the coffee farm also, the bike tour in Leyva wonderful. It was all very nice.
The best parts:
Everything ! well organized, transfers on time. Guides very nice and knowledgeables. The tour were well planned and vey interesting.
Loved the Coffee plantation, the Silleros, the city tours, the trip to Leyva, the Salt Cathedral, everything.
The worst parts:
Nothing.
Richard, UK
Colombia
Friends
Colombia was a great country and the people are mainly very friendly and smiling. Many locals only speak Spanish, but that is charming in itself nowadays, and the weather was generally cooler than I had anticipated until we reached Medellin and the Caribbean coast.
We loved the Spanish colonial architecture in Vilaa de Leyva, Barichara and Guatape, the scenery in the coffee region / Cocora Valley, did not mind the long road journeys as the Andes scenery was spectacular, and the Punta Faro hotel on Mucura island was blissful.
The best parts:
Well organised trip around Colombia and thanks so much to Jeanne for orchestrating the tour - almost every pick-up and time was perfect, the guides mainly spoke good English and were enthusiastic / knowledgeable, and the hotels were perfect for our needs.
The worst parts:
one guide in Pereira who was poor at English, two missed pick-ups at Cartagena, and the annoyance that the direct flight with Avianca direct from Medellin to Cartagena was cancelled 10 days before we travelled, meaning the trip needed 2 flights via Bogota. Traffic chaos in Bogota was not good either.
Tom
Colombia
Friends
Columbia is a beautiful country. It was clean, the people friendly, food was excellent and prices cheap. The people were very proud of their country and it showed. We felt safe at at times and came home with over 1000 photos to remember the trip by.
The best parts:
The people, services and equipment was surprisingly good. Van drivers on time. Bike guide in Bogata was wonderful in his knowledge and enthusiasm. Bike, para sail and rafting out of Barachara was best part of trip
The worst parts:
The hotel in Bogata was absolutely horrible as our room above street and the noise kept us up for two nights. The people were nice and breakfast good but street noise was terrible. A room next to an airport runway would be better than that
Translator in Barachara had very limited english vocabulary so guides skill and knowledge was not communicated
Chicago seniors
Colombia
Couple
We planned a visit that was much too short and only had time to visit Bogata and Villa de Leyva. In Bogata, we loved the big attractions: Gold Museum and the Botero Museum and the smaller attractions of many local restaurants, neighborhoods and markets. We strongly recommend visiting the Salt Cathedral and Villa de Leyva and a horseback ride in the mountain foothills.
As our trip was too short, we plan to visit again soon to learn about and enjoy other cities and the coffee area.
The best parts:
We love Columbia. We appreciated many things : the people, the culture, the museums, mountains, cathedrals, history and food. We stayed in the historic district of La Candelaria and could walk to where we planned to visit. Our accommodations were small, charming, well located with helpful staffs. The American dollar goes a long way. Our tour guides were always on time, well informed and interesting. They went out of their way to introduce us to both small and big pleasures and features.
Our trip was very short, allowing us to visit only Bogota and Villa de Leyva. We found these cities interesting and recommend them to future visitors
The worst parts:
The car traffic, as expected, is a problem in Bogota and demands extra time when planning to visit sites outside hotel areas
When visited Guatavita, the guide spoke Spanish and would not allow us to separate from the large group. We do not recommend this visit to English speaking tourists
***I will send pictures separately
Alex
Colombia
Friends
The overall trip was just amazing.
Everything went extremely well.. from the tour, the guides, the cities, the food... Colombia is an amazing country and the overall organization of the trip, the contniuos support the agency throughout the trip was just awesome!
The best parts:
The tour in the cienaga grande was a great and unique experience.. maybe the beat part of the trip!
The worst parts:
We just did not like the hotel in santa marta.
B&M London
Colombia
Couple
Semana Santa celebrations in Popayan.
Excellent hotels throughout, particually Akawanka Lodge, Casa Lucy and Maloka Barlovento.
The brief for the tour was fulfilled perfectly.
The best parts:
Charming comfortable hotels
Varied scenery
Semana Santa celebrations in Popayan
The worst parts:
Nothing
MvB
Colombia
Couple
Colombia has a rich and diverse history and culture which we discovered form our travelling from Bogota and the experiencing the Amazon with a;ll its wildlife and indigenous people. We enjoyed the graffiti bike tour and markets in Bogota along with the restaurants and through the Gold Museum along with the Museum Botero truly world class experiences. We both thoroughly enjoyed Villa de Leyva and Baricharra where the hotels and the different excursions were great fun. Villa Nora near Armenia was a real delight and the hosts truly a delight - a fabulous and restful stop with wonderful bird watching in the garden. I would have much preferred 3 nights in Villa instead of doing 2 nights and then 1 night in Salento (see above comments).
Barlovento was a beautiful place, despite the recent additional development there where we met some very interesting travellers. We could have done with an extra night there to enjoy the surroundings - even with Tayrona Park closed for February ! Minca was a good option and we enjoyed the waterfalls and pools for a refreshing swim and had a brilliant Paella at Antonio's restaurant.
The drive to Carthagena was long - it took us 6 hours - probably because the road works around Carthagena were so bad and it was a Saturday. Ananda Hotel was a beautiful hotel with great rooms and friendly staff and well located. We enjoyed Carthagena very much - particularly the old town and Getsemani.
All the internal flights worked very well and Avian in particular were great in ensuring all our luggage arrived at our final destinations.
The best parts:
We loved the country, people and history and travelling all the different parts of Colombia to experience these. The people were very welcoming and positive about our travels in their country.
The worst parts:
There was one unnecessary additional 1 night stop in Salento that for us and our age of traveller meant packing up and staying in what is essentially a back packers town when we could have easily stayed at Villa Nora for an extra night and done the Corcora Valley walk and then the airport transfer the next day.
The car / taxi that picked us up at Santa Marta airport and transferred us to Balovento was dangerous - the fuel filter was blocking and we stopped a number of times on that busy highway - not very safe ! We expect better vehicles for our bigger transfers.
